open source

The FCC is considering rules that would require manufacturers of Wifi-enabled equipment like routers, tablets, and even computers to lock them against installing alternative firmware and software. Such locks would prevent the use of Open Source software like OpenWRT (which WasabiNet uses!), DD-WRT, and really anything other than what the equipment manufacters themselves choose to release.

Indeed, some wifi routers are already appearing on the market with locked firmware, since that is simply much cheaper for manufacturers to do, than attempt to follow the FCC's proposed regulation. (I.e.

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Overheard

Collectives are also changing the way St. Louis connects. Spaces like Arch Reactor and Saint Louis Coworking — and networks like WasabiNet, which runs mesh Wi-Fi in the vicinity of Cherokee Street—now provide St. Louisans with low-cost ways to share ideas.